Ernest Bramah(click on names to see more mathematical fiction
by the same author)

...

Contributed by
"William E. Emba"

Max Carrados is a blind amateur detective genius, quite popular in the early 20th century, but mostly forgotten since then. (Such is also the fate of E.B.'s Kai Lung fantasy stories.)

In this story, involving two mathematicians, Max is challenged
to expose a card-playing automaton. [[An alleged analytic engine,
and an even more alleged Charles Babbage, make their appearance.]]

**Note: some may consider this last sentence a spoiler. I cannot
figure out a way to convey the mathematical content without giving
away some of the surprise. Part of the surprise, of course, is
this is a c1920 story. Is it the first computer in fiction?**

First reprinted in
THE EYES OF MAX CARRADOS (1924), later reprinted in a
Dover collection of Max Carrados stories.

(Note: This is just one work of
mathematical fiction from the list. To see the entire list or to see more
works of mathematical fiction, return to the Homepage.)

Works Similar to The Ingenious Mr. Spinola

According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one: